CATTLE

STAFF BLOG AG RIGHT Fighting the cold, feeding the cattle
Years ago, when I was in high school and beef prices were poor, I fed my family's cattle on a bitterly cold day. I was wearing long underwear, flannel shirt, sweatshirt, pants, two pairs of socks, sno...Posted on 2/19/15 at 1:45 PM

RURAL REFLECTIONS Summer Hotdish
Ive said my columns are sometimes well-planned meals and sometimes
hastily-prepared hotdish. I hope you like hotdish.
First off, the benefit for my brother, Steve Nelson, went great. The
benefit was ...Posted on 7/19/14 at 6:59 AM

FARM BLEAT When the matriarch takes the fall
Twas the week before Thanksgiving
and down on the farm
the folks were dealing with a steer
who needed to be in the barn.
The Jersey or the Holstein?
It mattered not.
He had to go in
to get a feel-bett...Posted on 12/2/13 at 5:18 PM

AMY'S RANCH SLANTS In My Next Life I Want to Be A Cow
In my next life I want to be a cow on a United States cattle ranch so I can find out what it feels like to be spoiled. Cows live a cushy life as a result of a ranchers hard work and his pocketbook.
...Posted on 8/17/11 at 7:00 PM

At this time of year, the cows are calving or pregnant, so the feeling of contentment is prevalent within the cow herd. If one never has experienced the pleasure of walking among a herd of pregnant cows, ewes or other ruminants, there is a palpable feeling of contentment, a pleasurable waiting moment.

here were 3,000 cattle sold at Kist Livestock in Mandan, N.D., this week. Only 1,800 were on the auction block this time last year.
High cattle prices have ranchers selling earlier than usual.
“It’s just started,” said Matt Lachenmeier, a fieldman at Kist.

In almost five decades of raising cattle, Frank Matejcek hasn’t seen prices as high as they are today.
That’s in part because of a decreasing number of beef cows in parts of the U.S. Matejcek, who runs the Red River Angus farm north of Grand Forks, N.D., with his wife Lucy, notes that cattle are like any other commodity that goes through price cycles.

BISMARCK – The North Dakota Department of Agriculture - Animal Health Division, in conjunction with the North Dakota Department of Health, are advising the public to protect livestock and pets from coming in contact with or swallowing blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria.

Early discussions of animal breeding and selection always grouped producers into three types: breeder, multiplier and commercial producer.
Generally portrayed as a pyramid, the base represented the large group of commercial producers who are in the business of producing products for the consumer. These producers would obtain breeding stock from the second level within the pyramid.

The loss of known genetics and performance in cattle herds in areas of western South Dakota hit by the winter storm Atlas in October is a big issue, says Ken Olson, South Dakota State University Extension associate professor and beef specialist.

White Oak Global Advisors will be the new owner of Northern Beef Packers, which filed for bankruptcy in July because it lacked money to buy cattle for slaughter. White Oak’s bid includes $39.5 million in credit and $4.8 million in cash to satisfy prior liens.

Having worked cattle for years and too many sheep to count, one develops a feel for the rogue cow or calf. Maybe it is just a quick look or an intense stare. There also are those animals that you know are not going to have a good cohabitation experience.